Games President’s Mid-Event Report Card

Commonwealth Games Federation President Mike Fennell is still worried but more upbeat about the games than he was before they began.

He’s the man who has come down hard on Indian sports authorities time and again for the delays and miscues in putting together the Commonwealth Games. A few weeks ago, he said the Games Village was “compromised” and told the media India still had a lot of work to do for the Games to go off okay.

A few days into the sporting event, Games Federation President Mike Fennell is still worried, but more upbeat. “My highlight so far has been that all Games are happening on schedule,” he said as he waited for Wednesday evening’s athletics competitions to begin.

The idea that simply getting events completed on time is a high point reflects how dire the situation had become recently, with concerns that logistical snafus or epic traffic jams could keep contests from starting on time or being conducted in a professional manner. Those concerns have largely dissipated now, for which Mr. Fennell gives India credit.

He says the special Commonwealth Games traffic lanes for officials and athletes, for example, are working well. (Ordinary Delhiites can’t use those lanes.)

But there are other concerns emerging, such as the dearth of spectators at events. “We still have a long list of issues,” Mr. Fennell said.

Mr. Fennell noted that there aren’t enough official Games drivers with knowledge of Delhi’s roads and the ability to communicate to foreign players. That has frustrated athletes and others in foreign delegations. He says officials are working on ways to get more drivers with the necessary skills.

“All Games have issues,” he said. “Even at the Olympics they would hold daily briefings to figure out what issues to address. So Delhi is no different.”